1819 Medal G. Washington, Baker-132 Bronzed Bronze

Coin Details

Description

The 1819 medal Baker-132 in bronzed copper depicts George Washington in a formal portrait style characteristic of the early nineteenth-century neoclassical tradition. "Bronzed" indicates the copper planchet received a chemical or heat treatment to produce a dark brown surface resembling bronze, a common finishing technique for presentation-quality medals of this period. The bronzing process gave the medal a more uniform and dignified appearance than untreated copper. The 1819 date places this medal in a period when American interest in Washington portraiture was flourishing alongside the broader development of American art and culture. The first generation born after Washington's death was coming of age, and commemorative medals served as tangible connections to the founding era for citizens who had never seen Washington in person. Baker-132 represents one of many portrait medals produced by American and European engravers to satisfy this growing market. The bronzed copper composition indicates a piece produced with care for collectors or presentation purposes. Unlike mass-produced white metal souvenirs, bronzed copper medals were finished to a higher standard and often sold through print sellers, bookshops, and the few numismatic dealers active in early nineteenth-century America. The Baker catalog documents dozens of Washington portrait medals from this period, reflecting the sustained demand for images of the founding father.

Rarity Notes

Bronzed copper composition indicates a presentation-quality piece. Baker-132 is documented in the primary Baker catalog. Surviving examples in original bronzed finish are preferred by collectors.

Cross References

Baker-132; PCGS #814220